This fried cabbage with bacon and onion is one of the easiest and most flavorful cabbage recipes you can make.
It’s savory, slightly sweet, and cooked in one skillet with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and tender cabbage. Everything comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights or simple comfort meals.
If you’re looking for a southern fried cabbage recipe that’s rich, cozy, and full of flavor, this one never fails.
In this post
- How To Cook Fried Cabbage With Bacon
- Ingredients
- Tips for Best fFavor
- Storage
- FAQ
Why This Recipe Works
- Bacon adds deep flavor. The fat creates a rich, smoky base.
- Caramelized onions balance everything. They add natural sweetness. Quick skillet method. Everything cooks in one pan.
- Simple ingredients. Nothing complicated, just real food.
🛒 Ingredients
- Bacon – Use thick-cut for the best flavor and crispy texture.
- Onion – Adds sweetness and depth to the dish.
- Garlic – Gives a rich, aromatic flavor.
- Cabbage – Choose a firm, fresh head for best results.
- Apple cider vinegar – Adds brightness and balances richness.
- Brown sugar – A touch of sweetness brings everything together.
- Butter – Adds extra richness and flavor.
- Salt and black pepper – Simple seasoning that enhances everything.
👩🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.
🥘 How To Cook Cabbage With Bacon
- Cook the bacon until crispy. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Cook the onions in the same skillet with some bacon grease, until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add chopped cabbage, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook for 7-10 minutes until cabbage is tender.
- Add bacon back to the pan, stir in butter, and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm. Store leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days and reheat on the stove.
Rita's Tip
Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed so the cabbage sautés instead of steaming.
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Buy Now → ❌ Common Mistakes
- Overcooking the cabbage. It can become mushy and lose flavor.
- Skipping the vinegar. It balances the richness of bacon.
- Using too much grease. Drain some bacon fat for better texture.
- Not browning the onions. This step builds flavor.
📋 Tips for Fried Cabbage, Bacon and Onion
- Use fresh Ingredients: Fresh cabbage, onions, and garlic will enhance the dish’s flavor.
- Crisp the bacon: Cook the bacon until it's crispy for the best texture and flavor.
- Control the grease: Pour out some of the bacon grease to make the dish healthier without losing the smoky taste.
- Cook onions properly: Make sure the onions are translucent before adding garlic to prevent burning.
- Balance the flavors: Adjust the vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper to taste for a perfect balance.
- Serve warm: This dish is best enjoyed warm for the fullest flavor.
- Why is my cabbage bitter after cooking? Cabbage can become bitter if overcooked or if it's an older, less fresh head.
- Should bacon be fried in butter or oil? Bacon does not need additional butter or oil; it renders its own fat.
🍱 Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. Keep leftover cabbage in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
- 🥶Freezing. Place cooled cabbage in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- 🔥To Reheat. Warm the cabbage on the stove over medium heat until heated through.
What To Eat With Fried Cabbage, Bacon and Onion
- Grilled sausages: Cabbage side dishes like this are great with smokey sausages and the richness of bacon fat.
- Mashed potatoes: You'll love creamy mashed potatoes with bacon and cabbage.
- Roasted chicken: Make fried cabbage and serve it with Juicy roasted chicken.
- Cornbread: Sweet, crumbly cornbread provides a delightful contrast to the savory cabbage mix.
- Sweet and tart apple sauce or honey mustard sauce is refreshing against the rich flavors of the fried cabbage and bacon.
Fried Cabbage Variations
- 🌶️ Spicy fried cabbage: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for a kick of heat.
- 🧈 Garlic butter cabbage: Remove the bacon grease and swap it with garlic-infused butter.
- 🌭 Cabbage and kielbasa: Swap bacon for sliced kielbasa sausage for a hearty, Eastern European twist.
- 🌿 Vegan: Use olive oil instead of bacon grease and add smoked paprika for a smoky flavor without the meat.
- 🫚 Asian-inspired cabbage: Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, and sliced green onions for an Asian flair.
- 🍏 Cabbage with apples: Add thinly sliced apples to the fried cabbage recipe.
- 🧀 Cheesy cabbage: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese over the cooked cabbage for a creamy, cheesy variation.
- 🥕 Cabbage with carrots: Add shredded carrots when pan-frying cabbage.
More Easy Cabbage Dinner Ideas
📖Recipe
Fried Cabbage With Bacon And Onion
Elevate your meals with fried cabbage! This simple recipe combines bacon, onion, and caramelized cabbage for a mouthwatering side dish everyone will love.
Video
Ingredients
- 12 oz thick-cut bacon, pork or turkey bacon, about ½ inch or smaller
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 head of cabbage, cored and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
Instructions
- In a large cast iron Dutch oven or a big skillet, cook the bacon until it's crispy over medium heat for about 12-15 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. You can also cook the bacon in the oven if you prefer.12 oz thick-cut bacon
- In the same skillet with the leftover bacon grease (you can leave it all in, but I like to pour out about half to make it a bit healthier while still keeping the smoky flavor), add the onions and cook until they are translucent.1 small onion
- Add the minced garlic and cook until you can smell it.3 garlic cloves
- Add the chopped cabbage, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together and cook for 7-10 minutes until the cabbage is tender.1 head of cabbage, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Put the crispy bacon back in the pan. Stir in the butter, taste to check the seasoning, and serve the dish while it's warm.2 tablespoons salted butter
- You can store any leftover cabbage in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat it on the stove.
Notes
- To Store. Keep leftover cabbage in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
- Freezing. Place cooled cabbage in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat. Warm the cabbage on the stove over medium heat until heated through.
Nutrition
Calories: 326kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 9gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 628mgPotassium: 410mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 287IUVitamin C: 57mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
🤷Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook bacon and onions together?
Yes, you can cook bacon and onions together, but start with the bacon first and then add the onions.
Is fried cabbage good for you?
Fried cabbage can be healthy if cooked with minimal fat and seasoned simply.
Why is vinegar added to cabbage?
Vinegar adds a tangy flavor and helps to tenderize the cabbage.
How long to soak cabbage before cooking?
Cabbage does not need to be soaked before cooking; just rinse it thoroughly.
What is Southern fried cabbage?
Southern fried cabbage is a delicious dish made by sautéing chopped cabbage with bacon, onions, and seasonings until tender and flavorful.
Can you cook cabbage too long?
Yes, overcooked cabbage can become mushy and lose its flavor.
How many calories are in fried cabbage?
The calorie count of fried cabbage varies, but a typical serving has around 100-150 calories depending on the ingredients used.
Joann
Easy and delicious meal, our favorite!
Casey Bumpsteed
Utterly delicious recipe, thank you!
Mary Adams
So so